Chapter 97
Chapter 97
Chapter 97
Chieftain (3)
The Sword God officially joined the Protectors.
His wife, Helen, couldn't overcome the Sword God's insistence and remained as family.
A wise choice. I'm more comfortable with that too.
Anyway, even family members end up helping when needed. It's basically the same except you can't give them orders.
In any case, the Sword God's joining became a great strength for the entire Heavenly Demon Cult.
"Now, it's time to counterattack, right?"
The shamans' response was excellent.
Normally they couldn't overcome the difference in power, but the shamans gained the upper hand through unusual methods.
"There are many strange spells."
There were spells that restricted magic, forced teleportation, and I experienced the Prison of Earth.
Berserkers and various magics used with staffs were also threatening.
"Cheong Ak-sal, how were you discovered?"
"It was insects."
"Insects?"
"There were small insects spread on the ground, and they made sounds even at small vibrations. Even standing still, they seemed to make sounds when they sensed body heat."
That means you can't hide by just deceiving sight.
"Anyway, their core is the shamans. If shamans are present, we'll be pushed back even in frontal battles."
The skill of individual warriors was also formidable. In this situation, if they became berserkers, we could be overwhelmed by force.
We were in the middle of a meeting when the Witch came.
"What are you doing? We need to go get revenge."
"We got hit once. Now we need to go carefully."
"Careful, what? Just watch. I'll freeze them all by myself."
The Witch seemed unable to forget the situation where she was bound and couldn't use magic.
'A mage who couldn't properly use magic would be furious.'
Even in the martial arts world, there were poisons that prevented the use of internal energy. I've experienced that helplessness too.
"Jimun Seo-saeng, what do you think?"
"We shouldn't take the shamans lightly. Their response is good, and their traps are threatening. The possibility of an attack on our main base still remains. Last time they only sent 50 because they didn't know about the Sword God's existence, but next time will be different."
We've already experienced what results from rushing in recklessly.
"Do you have a good idea?"
Since the Sword God was injured, Jimun Seo-saeng had talked with Ure for a long time. To gather information.
"Based on the fact that the Cult Leader dealt with one shaman, their physical abilities don't seem that outstanding. Ure said so too."
"Right. If we can just ambush them, we can kill them easily."
"Then we just need to create such a situation."
Jimun Seo-saeng stated the solution simply.
"The shamans' role is that of sages. Their role isn't just to strengthen them with spells. They solve problems and heal warriors."
"So?"
"We spread disease. Their tribes are divided in all directions, and there are 14 shamans. If epidemics spread in multiple tribes, the shamans will have no choice but to scatter and heal them."
It felt like my head was clearing up.
"How do we spread the disease?"
"They receive support for all resources. They especially like alcohol, I heard."
Now one problem remained.
"Is there a pathogen that can spread without being detected?"
"We own a pharmaceutical company recognized worldwide."
This was the first I'd heard of it.
"Where is it?"
"Japan."
With this, the conditions were met.
This time, Jimun Seo-saeng planned all the operations. But a problem arose.
"Food is directly inspected by the sages during the process of entering the fence."
That was Ure's statement.
The shamans thoroughly monitored all situations. That's the power that has protected them so far.
I frowned, but Jimun Seo-saeng showed no concern.
"If we have Miss Yuri's ice, it will work."
"Ice?"
"We'll put the pathogen inside the ice. In an unfrozen state, there will be no problem even if the shaman inspects it."
"After it passes through, the bacteria spread as the ice melts?"
"That's correct."
Now only execution remained.
Getting the pathogen wasn't difficult.
Non-lethal bacteria that could be cured.
"It must be common bacteria that can definitely be cured."
"Why is that?"
"That way they won't be suspicious. And if it's commonly identifiable bacteria, they'll request a vaccine from outside."
Certainly, if all warriors suddenly contracted a rare disease, it would raise suspicions.
"There's an experimental influenza strain in Japan. The incubation period is about two days and it's highly contagious. A cure has already been developed, but it's so potent that even the warriors will suffer quite a bit."
"Only how to insert it remains."
"If it's Cheong Ak-sal and Miss Yuri, there should be no problem."
We prepared step by step as Jimun Seo-saeng said.
During the preparation of the operation, news came from other regions.
—The Ehwa Palace has withdrawn from Mongolia.
It didn't seem like a full-scale battle occurred.
'Nakhwa isn't easy.'
I secretly thought that even if the Ehwa Palace won if a fight broke out, they would suffer great damage. But it seemed Nakhwa recognized this and withdrew.
And we heard another piece of news directly related to us.
—The Urak Tribe is receiving trial from the Council of Sages.
Eventually, they were branded as heretics and put on trial. In the process, we also heard news that 30 people were killed in battle.
It was expected, but hearing it actually made my heart heavy.
'Taduka.'
He was a warrior I quite liked.
'If fate allows, we'll meet again.'
I couldn't change the plan for him.
Trusting fate was ultimately the best option.
The operation was executed.
Supplies specially managed by the government departed for all tribes.
The methods of transport were varied.
—This is a table calculating the movement routes of the 14 tribes.
Jimun Seo-saeng created a schedule that could raid all 14 movement routes.
Cheong Ak-sal finished the final preparations by connecting teleports to the operation areas in advance.
"I'll be going now."
"Don't overdo it. You know what I mean?"
"I understand."
Having fallen into a trap once, Cheong Ak-sal had a high probability of executing the operation even by overdoing it. That's why I told him in advance.
"Nothing to say to me?"
The Witch asked.
"Don't cause trouble. Don't attack just because you're angry."
"Am I you?"
"You're worse than me."
"I can't accept that statement?"
"Let's see about that."
The Witch glared at me and stood on the magic circle.
Thus, the two departed for Egypt for the operation.
I waited for the operation results in the conference room.
—First one, completed.
The item for the operation was alcohol.
Since it's highly contagious anyway, if just 2-3 people get infected, it will spread to everyone.
The ice the Witch created wouldn't melt for a day, so switching the goods was sufficient.
It was just a matter of infiltrating the food transport truck with Blink and switching the bottles. And exiting the same way.
For Cheong Ak-sal, it was much easier than assassination. With the Witch helping too, there were no special variables.
—Completed.
The operation ended safely like that.
After that, we divided into teams to prepare for raids.
I was watching the largest tribe.
The Eta Tribe, with 100 warriors alone.
It was also the tribe where the shaman with the highest authority in the Council of Sages resided.
Two days after executing the operation, as expected, the warriors showed movements different from usual.
Even so, since they had such sturdy bodies, they didn't experience great difficulties.
That atmosphere changed around evening.
Warriors were seen visiting the shaman. They felt something wrong with their bodies.
The shaman examined the symptoms and gathered all the warriors.
'Good, it's started.'
I told Jimun Seo-saeng the current situation.
—Not yet. We must wait until they request medicine from outside. If by chance the shaman leaves the fence, you must tail them.
For this operation, I unconditionally followed Jimun Seo-saeng's words.
'Taduka.'
Besides the shaman, one more person caught my eye.
A warrior bound in chains in the center of the clearing.
For the reason of being the patriarch of the guilty tribe, he was being humiliated in the center of the clearing.
Passing warriors would even spit on him.
This was the reason I took charge of this tribe. I chose this tribe for a possible opportunity.
'Maybe there will be a chance.'
Taduka was also infected with the disease and started coughing. Since his body was weak, the reaction appeared quickly.
Night passed and dawn came.
The warriors' condition had worsened compared to yesterday. Warriors with noticeably bad expressions were visible.
'Their health is incredible.'
They said it was quite a strong influenza strain, but what they actually felt was just poor condition.
The shaman examined the warriors' condition again.
And when morning came, I received contact from Jimun Seo-saeng.
—They've requested blood tests. There will be movement soon.
The shamans were cautious. They planned to draw blood from 5 warriors for testing.
—The Hundred White Blood Corps will enter disguised as inspectors.
Initially, we planned to disguise as delivery people when they requested medicine. But Jimun Seo-saeng changed the operation.
—The blood will definitely be kept by the shaman personally. There's a high probability of direct delivery.
He chose a method with a high possibility of directly meeting the shaman.
"Tell the Hundred White Blood Corps not to overdo it."
—I told them to unconditionally retreat if the first strike fails.
Now the key was how many simultaneous raids we could achieve.
Jimun Seo-saeng also controlled this.
4 hours later.
—There are nine locations total where operations are possible. Cult Leader and Miss Yuri must enter directly.
The Witch and I don't disguise ourselves.
This way, raids will occur in eleven places total. We decided not to force it in areas where the timing doesn't match.
—We execute in 5 minutes.
The time approached.
—1 minute.
The person to receive blood hadn't arrived in this area yet.
Eventually, we have to just enter.
'There should be an opportunity.'
In a completely open area, there's nowhere to hide near the fence. It means I need to create an opportunity.
Then drum sounds echoed from the center of the clearing.
The shaman stood in the center of the clearing, and warriors gathered.
'Taduka.'
It looked like something was about to happen. Maybe even an execution.
'Approaching.'
An opportunity arose anyway.
I approached the fence avoiding the guard's eyes. Warriors were shouting in the clearing.
"Kill him!"
"Execute him!"
They didn't seem to have any intention of forgiving Taduka.
I tried to cross the fence using that commotion. But Cheong Ak-sal's words came to mind.
When I examined the ground, I saw insects wriggling between the dirt.
Unavoidably, I grabbed the fence and climbed onto the roof of a log cabin, lowering my body.
I succeeded in approaching safely, but there was still quite a distance.
Then several warriors scattered in all directions and dragged warriors from inside tents.
They were Urak Tribe members.
Their condition wasn't good either.
The number was 30 total.
'An opportunity.'
I sent a small energy wave toward an Urak Tribe warrior passing right next to me.
The warrior who sensed this slightly turned his head. I showed myself and nodded.
The warrior was dragged to the clearing like that.
The shaman stood before them, forced to kneel beside Taduka.
He calmed the surrounding shouts and spoke in a low, thick voice.
"As a result of praying to the Eta God about their sins during this time, He said that their heresy is unforgivable and we must punish the sin of defiling the warrior's pride."
The shaman raised his staff.
Then, the Urak Tribe warrior who had made eye contact with me suddenly rose and tried to ram the shaman.
But an Eta Tribe warrior nearby blocked this.
Simultaneously, the Urak Tribe warriors captured in the clearing all rose at once and caused a disturbance.
With their bodies bound, there was nothing they could do. There was quite fierce resistance, but even this was brief.
'A moment is enough.'
The moment the commotion started, I descended from the roof and ran toward the shaman.
I just passed the warriors and aimed only at one person.
Then, the Urak Tribe warrior who had risen first screamed and ran toward the shaman.
Those guarding the shaman blocked him. And the shaman raised his staff.
Kung!
The shaman's staff pierced his head.
He died just like that.
'It was enough.'
Kwang!
I also blew away the back of the shaman's head.